Girl-power
in the sub-Himalaya

Shillong
is inhabited by the Khasis people, the only matriarchal society
in the north-east. Here you find real girl-power!

North-east India is known for its scenic beauty and the
states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland
and Mizoram are called the Seven Sisters. Here lies a land of lush green
meadows surrounded by mountains and foreven monsoon: Shillong,
the capital of Meghalaya. Once the capital of Assam (1874 - 1972), this
hill station is located 1496 metres above sea-level in the hills of
the sub-Himalayas and is compared with Scotland in the way Kashmir is
compared with Switzerland. The name Shillong was derived from 'Leishyllong',
the Superpower of God. Shillong was established in the mid-1800s by
Colonel Henry Hopkinson, agent to the Governor General of India, as
a refuge for the officers and staff of the East India Company during
fearfully hot summer months. The ghosts of its colonial past are still
to be seen but, today, it is a typical Indian city. It attracts tourist
for its natural beauty and scenic location.

This remarkable hill station is connected with Guwahati
(101 km away), by a long road twisting between high hills that also
connects Silchar and the Gara Hills. It makes a great trip by taxi,
car or the MTDC bus (run by the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation).
You will find the scenic beauty of the hills, trees and Barapani Lake
and the experience of the 3-4 hour trip itself very memorable - especially
if it rains! You travel through awesome scenery of cliffs, gorges, murmuring
rivulets, fast-flowing streams and gurgling waterfalls to be seen en-route.
The nearest airport is at Umroi (30 km from Shillong) and this connects
to the rest of India. International travellers will fly first to Kolkata
or Delhi. This area may sound remote, but then that's just why people
go to enjoy the remote beauty to be found where you can be at one with
Nature.

You will probably arrive at Police Bazaar in
the heart of the city, where most of the hotels are located. This is
where the main buzz occurs, including a market where you can buy local
products from the emporiums and roadside stalls. Although small, the
market offers a wide range of things including dresses, shoes, accessories,
warm clothes and bamboo crafts. Take a look in Glory's Plaza,
run by the Bhutanese people, famous for its western clothes and accessories.
This is a three-story building that will attract any serious shopper
- and a handy during a monsoon! (Yes, remember there is a reason why
this is a lush, green region!) Also, visit Delhi Darbaar if
you like sweets, and EC's restaurants which are very popular
and offer great food. Shillong is famous for momos, which taste
equally good if bought from the roadside.

Shillong is inhabited by the Khasis people, the only matriarchal
society
in the north-east. Here you find real girl-power! Look out for the signs
of this matriarchal society. These people are innocent and straightforward
and the female domination is interesting to observe. Women and girls
go off to the office to work during the day and also work in the evenings
selling fish, vegetables, clothes and accessories. They are even in
the bars. Here, and at Kerala, the man leaves his parents to live in
his wife's home with her parents after marriage. I've been to many hill
stations but Shillong attracts me the most - perhaps because I was born
here. Or maybe it is because I can touch the clouds here! Whatever it
is, I am sure you will capture and take away some of its infinite magic
and simplicity when you visit. The city may be small but it is a real,
vibrant community. Durga Puja and Christmas are celebrated with high
enthusiasm and great belief. Great times to be here!

Then there are all the other places of interest and beauty...

Shillong Peak is probably the best place to start.
If the sky is clear and there is no 'silver lining' you will see the
city from the highest point: located about 10km from the city itself.

Ward's
Lake contains colourful fish awaiting feeding and is a wonderful
location in an area covered by flowers, plants and trees. Nearby is
the beautiful Botanical Garden with its wide selection of trees.

Lady Hydari Park is a beautiful rose garden named
after the wife of an ex-Governor of Shillong. Children and deer are
equally at home here, and there is also a mini-zoo to further entertain
the little people.

Waterfalls
and valleys are to be found around Shillong, and the area is also noted
for its many caves. Your many choices include Beadon Falls,
Elephanta Fall, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls
and Crinoline Falls (very near Lady Hydari Park). No words
can describe the beauty to be found in these areas. You get a great
sense of peace if you carefully descent to the lower regions of these
watery places and you will be sure to remember these cathedrals of calm.

Shillong
is famous for having the largest natural golf course in Asia. So if
you enjoy golf and want to play on one of the world's most beautiful
courses, don't miss this treat!

I would suggest the minimum of one week to do justice
to this region, which should also give you time to visit Cherrapunjee
(56 km), the place of the rain-gods, and Dwaki
(86 km). If you are a confident driver then you can hire a car and discover
the area for yourself. Otherwise take the MTDC tour packages. Either
way you will not regret enjoying the ups and downs of this region and
are sure to fall in love with the inner beauty of Shillong.

EDITORIAL
NOTE: Take Care!

Tourists should be aware this area does suffer from unpredictable
political squabbles and you need to be aware of this before you
go. Police checkpoints are to be found in and around Shillong
and identification is required of motorists and pedestrians. Read
what Margaret
Deefholts has to say before visiting this destination.
She advises you should be quite safe abroad during daylight hours,
but it would be wise to stay within the confines of your hotel
at night. This, perhaps, explains why night-time entertainment
is zero. You go here for daytime beauty and atmosphere, and possibly
golf, not for the bright lights or clubs!

School days - the best days of your life? Of course they are! - and it's probably the same for the kids, too! Enter the Wild Wood that is secondary education and see it from the side of so-called authority. Remember that teachers can be wags, too, and their sense of humour is their only hope of at least playing a draw...

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